Transfer Credit

(Policy 2.06)

In general, Blue Mountain Christian University gives full credit for courses determined to be comparable or equivalent to courses offered by the University which are taken at another regionally accredited institution. Blue Mountain Christian University offers some degrees, majors, minors, or programs which require transfer of courses not comparable or equivalent to courses the University offers. The transfer of such courses is approved by the faculty of the department in which the major/minor is housed. In addition, the student must have earned a C or better in the course being transferred.

Requirement for Official Transcripts for Transfer Students

All entering transfer students must provide official transcripts of all prior college/university work; transcripts must be sent directly from the college or university attended. Transcripts will be evaluated as promptly as possible by the Registrar implementing the faculty-approved guidelines prescribed in this policy. No credit is awarded for non-credit course work taken at another institution nor is remedial (below college level) course work transferable. A maximum of 70 semester hours of credit may be applied to a degree at Blue Mountain Christian University.

Transfer of Courses Comparable or Equivalent

Blue Mountain Christian University transfers courses which are deemed to be comparable or equivalent to courses the University offers. The guidelines for awarding such credits are outlined in Guidelines for Awarding Credit for Course Equivalencies below.

Transfer of Courses Not Comparable or Equivalent

The University may accept college level courses in transfer that are determined to be not comparable or not equivalent to specific courses taught at Blue Mountain Christian University. If such college level but not comparable or equivalent courses are accepted in transfer, they may be approved to meet specific degree, major, minor, or other program requirements, or else shall be accepted as electives. The faculty of the academic department housing the major, minor, or other program, will determine applicability of transfer courses toward the major, minor, or other program.

Use of Transfer Grades

Entering grades and cumulative grade point average(s) based on face value of the student’s transcript(s) are used for the initial admissions decision including admission’s academic standing and for the determination of financial aid and athletic eligibility. Grades earned in course work at other educational institutions are used in calculating cumulative grade point averages (CGPA) at Blue Mountain Christian University. If the student has a cumulative GPA on all transfer credit for all college work attempted of less than 2.0, grades of D (or F) will not transfer.

The academic standing at the initial enrollment of new transfer students (including readmitted students who have attended other colleges subsequent to leaving Blue Mountain Christian University) will be determined by the cumulative face value grade point averages of all colleges attended and in accordance with the University’s standards as listed in Policy 2.18: Academic Standards. Transfer students not meeting these standards will enter on academic probation at Blue Mountain Christian University. Transfer students making application and on academic suspension from the last college attended are eligible for admission after serving one fall or spring semester on suspension. If admitted, the student will enter on academic probation. Credits earned at another institution while a student is on academic suspension at Blue Mountain Christian University (or any other college) will not be accepted toward a degree at Blue Mountain Christian University.

Guidelines for Awarding Credit for Course Equivalencies

In assessing and documenting course equivalencies of transfer credit, Blue Mountain Christian University generally accepts transfer credit at face value as shown on the official transcript of the college or university initially awarding the credit. If a local junior/community college course is in question, the Guidebook for Course Equivalency, an in-house reference book, is consulted. Credits from other colleges and universities are subject to review, consideration, and approval granted on a course-by-course basis. When course titles are non-descriptive, course equivalencies are determined using input from faculty, department chairs, and/or the Provost as well as one or more of the following resources: course descriptions; course syllabi; and guides published by the American Council on Education, the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, and NAFSA (Association of International Educators). In order to determine course equivalencies of transcripts from institutions located outside the United States and in accordance with Admissions Policy 2.03: Admissions, all such transcripts must be evaluated course by course by Education Credential Evaluators, Inc., P.O. Box 92970, Milwaukee, WI 53202-0970.

Prior Approval for Earning Off-Campus Credit

Students must obtain permission in advance from their advisor, the Chair of the Department, and the Provost before taking a course or courses from another college while pursuing a degree from Blue Mountain Christian University. A form for this purpose is available from the Registrar. After a student has been accepted for a degree at Blue Mountain Christian University and has earned a total of 70 hours toward a degree (including transferred work whether from a community or senior college), all additional credit must be earned at a senior college. See this Catalog for specific information concerning minimum number of total credits and major and/or minor credits required in residence at Blue Mountain Christian University.